My 8-Year-Old Son Is a Daredevil and Has Already Broken Several Bones. Could
He Have a Problem Like Osteoporosis at This Young Age?

Osteoporosis is rare
among children and adolescents. When it occurs, it is usually caused by an
underlying medical disorder or by medications used to treat such disorders. This
is called secondary osteoporosis. It may also be the result of a genetic
disorder such as osteogenesis imperfecta, in which bones break easily from
little or no apparent cause. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause of
juvenile osteoporosis. This is known as idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. Two or
more low-impact fractures may be a sign of one of these disorders.

If you are concerned about your son's frequent fractures, talk to his doctor
for more information.

How Can I Get Through to My Kids? They Sure Don't Think About Their Bones.

You are absolutely right. Research has shown that children and adolescents do
not tend to think much about their health. Their decisions about diet and
exercise, for example, are rarely made based on "what's good for them." But we
also know that you have a much greater influence on your kids' decisions and
behaviors than you may believe. For example, many teenagers, when asked who has
been the greatest influence in their life, name parents before friends,
siblings, grandparents, and romantic partners.

The best way to help your kids develop healthy habits for life is to be a
good role model. Research suggests that active children have active parents. If
you make physical activity a priority and try hard to maintain a healthy diet,
including plenty of calcium, chances are your positive lifestyle will "rub off"
on them along the way. Here are some things you can do:

Be a role model. Drink milk with meals, eat calcium-rich snacks, and get
plenty of weight-bearing exercise. Don't smoke.

Incorporate calcium-rich foods
into family meals.

Serve fat-free or low-fat milk with meals and snacks.

Stock
up on calcium-rich snacks that are easy for hungry children to find, such as:

cheese cubes and string cheese

single-serving puddings

yogurt and frozen
yogurt

cereal with low-fat milk

broccoli with yogurt dip

calcium-fortified orange juice

individual cheese pizzas

tortillas

almonds.

Limit access to soft drinks and other snacks that don't provide calcium by
not keeping them in the house.

Help your kids to find a variety of physical
activities or sports they enjoy participating in.

Establish a firm time limit
for sedentary activities such as TV, computers, and video games.

Teach your kids
to never start smoking, as it is highly addictive and toxic.

Look for signs of
eating disorders and overtraining, especially in preteen and teenage girls, and
address these problems right away.

Talk to your children's pediatrician about
their bone health. If your child has a special medical condition that may
interfere with bone mass development, ask the doctor for ways to minimize the
problem and protect your child's bone health.

Talk to your children about their
bone health, and let them know it is a priority for you. Your kids may not think
much about health, but they are probably attracted to such health benefits as
energy, confidence, good looks, and strength.